1 . Teens and younger children are reading a lot less for fun, according to a Common Sense Media report published Monday.

While the decline over the past decade is steep for teen readers, some data in the report shows that reading remains a big part of many children’s lives, and indicates how parents might help encourage more reading.

According to the report’s key findings, “the proportion (比例) who say they ‘hardly ever’ read for fun has gone from 8 percent of 13-year-olds and 9 percent of 17-year-olds in 1984 to 22 percent and 27 percent respectively today.”

The report data shows that pleasure reading levels for younger children, ages 2—8, remain largely the same. But the amount of time spent in reading each session has declined, from closer to an hour or more to closer to a half hour per session.

When it comes to technology and reading, the report does little to counsel(建议) parents looking for data about the effect of e-readers and tablets on reading. It does point out that many parents still limit electronic reading, mainly due to concerns about increased screen time.

The most hopeful data shared in the report shows clear evidence of parents serving as examples and important guides for their kids when it comes to reading. Data shows that kids and teens who do read frequently, compared to infrequent readers, have more books in the home, more books purchased for them, parents who read more often, and parents who set aside time for them to read.

As the end of school approaches, and school vacation reading lists loom(逼近) ahead, parents might take this chance to step in and make their own summer reading list and plan a family trip to the library or bookstore.

1. What is the Common Sense Media report probably about?

A．Children’s reading habits.

B．Quality of children’s books.

C．Children’s after-class activities.

D．Parent-child relationships.

2. Where can you find the data that best supports “children are reading a lot less for fun”?

A．In paragraph 2.	B．In paragraph 3.
C．In paragraph 4.	D．In paragraph 5.

3. Why do many parents limit electronic reading?

A．E-books are of poor quality.

B．It could be a waste of time.

C．It may harm children’s health.

D．E-readers are expensive.

4. How should parents encourage their children to read more?

A．Act as role models for them.

B．Ask them to write book reports.

C．Set up reading groups for them.

D．Talk with their reading class teachers.

2 . Benefits of Reading

The benefits of reading start with the first book a baby hears and continue into childhood and throughout the child’s life. Here are some reasons why reading is important.

Reading teaches children about the world around them.     1    They are exposed to ways of life, ideas and beliefs about the world which may be different from those which surround them. This builds a store of background knowledge, which helps younger children learn to read confidently.

    2    When we read, our brains translate the descriptions we read of people , places and things into pictures. When we are reading a story, we are also imagining how the characters are feeling. We use our own experiences to imagine how we would feel in the same situation

Children who read do better at school. And they don’t just do better at subjects like reading, English and history.     3    

Reading is a great form of entertainment! A paperback book or an e-reader doesn’t take up much space so you can take it anywhere and you’ll never be lonely or bored if you have a book in your bag.     4    

Reading relaxes the body and calms the mind.     5    The constant movement, flashing lights and noise are quite stressful for our brains. When we read in silence, the black print on a white page is much less stressful for our eyes and brains.

A．Reading improves concentration.

B．Reading develops a child’s imagination.

C．We seem to have forgotten how to relax and how to be silent.

D．Children learn new words and greatly enlarge their vocabulary.

E．They do better at all subjects and they do better all the day through school.

F．You can read while waiting for a friend or during a flight delay at an airport.

G．By reading, children learn about people, places and events outside their own experience.

3 . Nowadays, there are a lot of reminding days in the world. World Read Aloud Day is celebrated each year on the first Wednesday of March. It    1    (start) by the LitWorld.org website in 2010 and has now reached 65 countries.    2    aim is to encourage people worldwide who cannot read to enjoy the benefits of a book. The website asks everyone    3    (celebrate) the day by taking a book, finding an audience and reading out aloud. It is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write    4    (belong) to all people. The website asks visitors to join in the movement to reduce the number of illiterate (不识字的) people in the world. It is    5    (absolute) necessary to help those    6    cannot read. The website says, “It’s time to start by reading aloud to    7    might like it. Share a book with a child who might need it, share a story with someone who would treasure it, listen patiently    8    someone else’s story as they share with you.” The United Nations says, ”Literacy involves a    9    (vary) of learning in    10    (enable) individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and to participate fully in society.” In that way, World Read Aloud Day does help make a difference.

4 . Do you know how to pick a good book you’ll really like? Here are some tips.

Start with your interest.     1    . You can pick something that you love to read, not for school. They can be ancient martial (武术) arts, computers, or fashion design. You name it, there are books about it.

Pick your type. Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction (or both)? Fiction books, like novels, can transport you to another world or help you imagine something beyond your own experience. Nonfiction books give you the who, what, when, and why of something.     2    . Many of them read like novels from start to finish.

Read the description. The reviews and quotes on the back and inside covers of many books give you an idea of what the book is about. They can also help you pick future books, too. If you find a book you really like, take a minute to read the quotes and see which authors praised the book.     3    .

Find a family favorite. Which book did your mother love best when she was at your age?     4    . Find out and give them a read — then you can share your thoughts about the book.

Find a quiet place and make time for the book.     5    . You can put on some good music, get yourself some tea and let yourself be carried away by the book. You’ll see that time does fly when you’re reading something you love!

A．How about your brothers and sisters?

B．They tell stories using facts — but that doesn’t mean they’re boring.

C．Reading is a good way to improve your English.

D．Most reading is best enjoyed when you can concentrate on it.

E．Often, they’ll have similar styles and you might find books you like by those authors, too.

F．So you should read as much as possible when you are free.

G．Reading on your own isn’t like reading for school.

5 . How to Pick a Great Book to Read

The world is full of great books，just waiting to be read.How can you pick one you'll really like? Here are some tips:

What makes you happy?

    1    Are you really into dinosaurs or dogs or a specific person? Are there a few careers you're interested in? You can find books about almost anything you like，and you're more likely to enjoy reading a book if you're already interested in its subject.

Fact or fiction?

Some books are entirely made up and imagined.Those are called fiction books.Novels，short stories are all examples of fiction.These books can transport you to another world or help you imagine something beyond your own experience.

Non－fiction books give you the who，what，when and why.    2    Non－fiction books can bring everything to life from the first trip to the moon to what it's like to explore the deepest oceans.Try both fiction and non－fiction books to see which you like better.

Find a family favorite.

What was your mother's favorite book when she was your age? Or your dad's？    3    Then you can talk about what they liked about it and share your thoughts.It's a fun way to get to know your family a little better，and to find a book you'll enjoy!

Ask an expert.

    4    Tell a librarian about your interests—rock stars，sports teams，historical events，whatever you're into—and the names of some books you already like.Your librarian can help you find other books that you're sure to love.

Launch a book swap.

    5    It's always fun to see what your friends are reading.Even if they're not exactly bookworms，you can all encourage each other to read and share books and authors you like.You also can look for book swaps in your area.It's a great way to build your personal library for free!

A．Ask them and give it a read.

B．Many of them read novels from start to finish.

C．Why not get some friends together and trade favorite books?

D．If you have a favorite hobby，look for books about that activity.

E．They tell stories using facts—but that doesn't mean they're boring.

F．Read the passage and decide for yourself whether it seems knowledgeable.

G．Your local library is a great place to find books that you'll love，and you don't have to search all by yourself.

6 . Lainey finished third grade. She had good grades and could read ______       grade level, but she did not like to read. On a family car trip, her Aunt Dede pulled out a copy of Harry Potter, as a surprise for her     ______. But Lainey took one look at it,       ______   her eyes, and said, “Borrrring！”

Aunt Dede, a teacher, had read the book to her students, and they loved it.     ______     the youngest children in the class were       ______   by the story. They     ______     with great interest, and then     ______     joined in grand conversations about Harry's adventures.

“How can you say it's     ______？Have you read it？” asked Aunt Dede.

“No, it's too long and it doesn't have any     ______，” complained Lainey.

“Oh, that's where you are       ______； there are lots of pictures. Every page is full of pictures; you just have to read the words to       ______     them. It's like magic.”

“Nice try, Aunt Dede，” Lainey replied     ______     from the back seat.

Another ______ was in order. “Well, if you don't want to read it, give it ______. Maybe your mum would ______ hearing the story.” The book sailed through the air to Aunt Dede and she began to read it aloud. By the end of the first chapter，______ were coming from the back seat: “Please read a little ______．”

Lainey is an example of an   ______ reader. As shown here, Lainey can become ______ about reading when ______ with literature on topics that interest her, and when the people around her model involvement in the reading process.

1.

A．within

B．on

C．to

D．above

2.

A．daughter

B．niece

C．student

D．friend

3.

A．opened

B．dried

C．rolled

D．shaded

4.

A．Even

B．Still

C．Just

D．Yet

5.

A．surprised

B．annoyed

C．puzzled

D．attracted

6.

A．read

B．told

C．listened

D．wrote

7.

A．suspectedly

B．anxiously

C．calmly

D．enthusiastically

8.

A．amazing

B．boring

C．ridiculous

D．humorous

9.

A．pictures

B．stories

C．adventures

D．conversations

10.

A．crazy

B．foolish

C．wrong

D．different

11.

A．see

B．match

C．show

D．recognize

12.

A．sourly

B．patiently

C．eagerly

D．shyly

13.

A．idea

B．try

C．belief

D．behaviour

14.

A．away

B．out

C．in

D．back

15.

A．enjoy

B．admit

C．mind

D．finish

16.

A．decisions

B．requests

C．comments

D．promises

17.

A．more clearly

B．longer

C．louder

D．more carefully

18.

A．unpleasant

B．innocent

C．unwilling

D．independent

19.

A．astonished

B．worried

C．confused

D．excited

20.

A．presented

B．concerned

C．disturbed

D．replaced

7 . A good book can be satisfying. If reading is a habit you’d like to get into, there are some ways to develop it.

●Realize that reading is enjoyable if you have a good book. If you have a difficult book and you are forcing yourself through it, it will seem like a task.     1    

●Set time. You should have some time during every day when you’ll read for at least 5 to 10 minutes.    2     For example, make it a habit to read during breakfast and lunch and even dinner if you eat alone.

●Always carry a book.     3    When I leave the house, I always make sure to have my car keys and one book at hand. The book stays with me in the car, and I take it into the office and to appointments and pretty much everywhere I go.

●    4    Find a place in your home where you can sit in a comfortable chair. Don’t lie down unless you’re going to sleep. There shouldn’t be a television or a computer near the chair, and no music or no noisy family members/ roommates. If you don’t have a place like this, create one.

●Reduce television/ the Internet. If you really want to read more, try cutting back on time on TV or the Internet.     5    Still, every minute you reduce of the Internet/ TV, you could use for reading. This could create hours of book reading time.

A．Go to bookstores.

B．Find a quiet place.

C．This may be difficult for some people.

D．Wherever you go, take a book with you.

E．Have some good tea or coffee while you read.

F．It means you will read no matter how busy you are.

G．If this happens, give up the book and find another one that you’ll really love.

8 . One day when I was 12, my mother gave me an order: I was to walk to the public library, and borrow at least one book for the summer. This was one more weapon for her to defeat my strange problem — inability to read.

In the library, I found my way into the “Children’s Room.” I sat down on the floor and pulled a few books off the shelf at random. The cover of a book caught my eye. It presented a picture of a beagle. I had recently had a beagle, the first and only animal companion I ever had as a child. He was my secret sharer, but one morning, he was gone, given away to someone who had the space and the money to care for him. I never forgot my beagle.

There on the book’s cover was a beagle which looked identical to my dog. I ran my fingers over the picture of the dog on the cover. My eyes ran across the title, Amos, the Beagle with a Plan. Unknowingly, I had read the title. Without opening the book, I borrowed it from the library for the summer.

Under the shade of a bush, I started to read about Amos. I read very, very slowly with difficulty. Though pages were turned slowly, I got the main idea of the story about a dog who, like mine, had been separated from his family and who finally found his way back home. That dog was my dog, and I was the little boy in the book. At the end of the story, my mind continued the final scene of reunion, on and on, until my own lost dog and I were, in my mind, running together.

My mother’s call returned me to the real world. I suddenly realized something: I had read a book, and I had loved reading that book. Everyone knew I could not read. But I had read it. Books could be incredibly wonderful and I was going to read them.

I never told my mother about my “miraculous” (奇迹般地) experience that summer, but she saw a slow but remarkable improvement in my classroom performance during the next year. And years later, she was proud that her son had read thousands of books, was awarded a PhD in literature, and authored his own books, articles, poetry and fiction. The power of the words has held.

1. The author’s mother told him to borrow a book in order to_____.

A．encourage him to do more walking	B．let him spend a meaningful summer
C．help cure him of his reading problem	D．make him learn more about weapons

2. The book caught the author’s eye because_____.

A．it contained pretty pictures of animals

B．it reminded him of his own dog

C．he found its title easy to understand

D．he liked children’s stories very much

3. Why could the author manage to read the book through?

A．He was forced by his mother to read it.

B．He identified with the story in the book.

C．The book told the story of his pet dog.

D．The happy ending of the story attracted him.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．The author has become a successful writer.

B．The author’s mother read the same book.

C．The author’s mother rewarded him with books.

D．The author has had happy summers ever since.

5. Which one could be the best title of the passage?

A．The Charm of a Book	B．Mum’s Strict Order
C．Reunion with My Beagle	D．My Passion for Reading

9 . Everyone needs a break, and vacations are not meant for serious study.     1     The Spring Festival is coming up so this is the perfect time to discuss some great English language literature to take on a long train journey.

Before getting into the recommendation, you need to determine your English reading comprehension level. If you’re at the beginner level, there are two options: reading a children’s book or reading a book that you’ve read in Chinese translation.     2     If you’re at the intermediate level, popular books like pop fiction, mysteries and thrillers are good options. For advanced readers, classic works of literature or modern prize winners (Nobel, Pulitzer) are good options.

    3     When I pick up a book I like, even though the first few chapters are really hard to get through, I would try to get accustomed to the language the author uses. Generally, after the first few chapters, things get a lot easier, especially if I get involved in the story.

Another great way to keep yourself motivated is to find a friend who’s interested in reading the same book. You can make goals that you both want to achieve.     4    

Some quick recommendations: Harry Potter, start with the first book and go on from there; the Narnia series; anything by US writer Michael Crichton; and if you like horror, US writer Stephen King is always unusual and fun.     5     Happy reading!

A．If you pick a book which is so challenging, it will be too stressful.

B．The most important thing is to pick a book that you’re really interested in.

C．You may also enjoy your reading when hanging out with your family.

D．You should just find a topic or author you’re interested in, and the rest will go from there.

E．You can also discuss plot lines or vocabulary issues with each other by SMS or e-mail.

F．Instead, they’re a great way to take a break and enjoy a good book.

G．This will help you get over any unfamiliar words or phrases, since you’re already familiar with the story.

10 . I grew up in a house where the TV was seldom turned on and with one wall in my bedroom entirely lined with bookshelves, most of my childhood was spent on books I could get hold of. In fact, I grew up thinking of reading as natural as breathing and books unbelievably powerful in shaping perspectives (观点) by creating worlds we could step into, take part in and live in.
With this unshakable belief, I, at fourteen, decided to become a writer. Here too, reading became useful. Every writer starts off knowing that he has something to say, but being unable to find the right ways to say it. He has to find his own voice by reading widely and discovering which parts of the writers he agrees or disagrees with, or agrees with so strongly that it reshapes his own world. He cannot write without loving to read, because only through reading other people’s writing can one discover what works, what doesn’t and, in the end, together with lots of practice, what voice he has.
Now I am in college, and have come to realize how important it is to read fiction (文学作品)．As a law student, my reading is in fact limited to subject matter—the volume (量) of what I have to read for classes every week means there is little time to read anything else. Such reading made it all the clearer to me that I live in a very small part in this great place called life. Reading fiction reminds me that there is life beyond my own. It allows me to travel across the high seas and along the Silk Road, all from the comfort of my own armchair, to experience, though secondhand, exciting experiences that I wouldn't necessarily be able to have in my lifetime.
1. What can be inferred about the author as a child?

A．He never watched TV.

B．He read what he had to.

C．He found reading unbelievable.

D．He considered reading part of his life.

2. The underlined word "voice" in the second paragraph most probably means “      ”.

A．an idea

B．a sound quality

C．a way of writing

D．a world to write about

3. What effect does reading have on the author?

A．It helps him to realize his dream.

B．It opens up a wider world for him.

C．It makes his college life more interesting.

D．It increases his interest in worldwide travel.

4. Which of the following can be the best title of this text?

A．Why do I read?

B．How do I read?

C．What do I read?

D．When do I read?